Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD) is a cooperative fire department with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).Within the county TCFD/ CAL FIRE along with eight fire districts provide life and property emergency response.In addition to services traditionally provided by most fire protection agencies nationwide, the county has the responsibility of addressing severe wildland fire protection. Wildland fires constitute the most significant major disaster threat in the county.

The protective services in Tuolumne County responded to 7,292 emergency calls during the 2014 calendar year, and currently serve approximately 54,953 residents in an area of more than 2,200 square miles.